Take it outside: 7 ways to get active with nature

Mar 1, 2017

Rate this article and enter to winWould you rather watch The Walking Dead on a treadmill or feel like you’re part of it on a trail run? It’s better for us to take that jog outdoors than to plod away inside, according to research. For most of us, spring is here or getting close. Here’s how taking your sweat sesh into fresh air makes a difference:

Gain good vibes now

Doing a workout in nature boosts your mood, ups your energy, and increases feelings of joy more than doing the same activity indoors, according to a 2011 review of 11 studies in Environmental Science & Technology.

Repeat rewards

People are more likely to say they’ll repeat an outdoor walk than an indoor stroll (Environmental Science & Technology, 2011).

Care about the community

Students who watched nature videos were more likely to behave in ways that support the environment and cooperation with others than were those who viewed videos of artificial environments, according to a 2015 study in Journal of Environmental Psychology.

See the bigger picture

Looking at images of nature led people to seek long-term benefits rather than instant gratification, says a 2013 study in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Step away from stress together

Walking in nature with friends increases our mental well-being and reduces the effects of stressful events, according to a 2014 study in Ecopsychology. Our physical health benefits too: People who live in leafy urban neighborhoods feel healthier and are less prone to heart disease and diabetes than are those who live without trees, according to a 2015 study in Scientific Reports.

7 new ways to get fit outdoors

1 Frolfing or another game

Grab a frisbee for a round of “frolfing” (i.e., frisbee or disc golf). It’s like regular golf without the club and the stuffy dress code. “It’s pretty chill—and not as expensive as having to buy clubs and such. A frisbee is a little harder to lose than a golf ball,” says Jared W., a part-time online student at the University of Central Arkansas. Other games students favor: frisbee, KanJam, croquet, and flag football.

Escape a zombie attack—you won’t even realize you’re getting a killer workout. Or get splashed with colored powder in a 5K that feels like a party. Themed runs, from Tough Mudders to paint runs to undie runs, may get you moving after all. “These are a great way to make running fun. You’re having such a good time you forget it’s exercise,” says Jeanne T., a graduate student at Ashford University.

Don’t overlook the whizzy stuff you may have skipped (or loved) as a kid. “Rollerblading is definitely making a comeback. I’m kind of a clumsy person, so I don’t make a point of speed-skating down the sidewalks, but the motion is smooth and the breeze feels great,” says Reilly G., a student at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. Skateboarding is another means of transport with similar thrill potential.

Paddle your way to fit in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Work on your balance, challenge your core strength, and pretend it’s as easy as everyone’s Instagram suggests. Try SUP yoga—just leave crow pose to the pros. “Physical activity that also allows me to de-stress while enjoying beautiful scenery is great,” says Rachel P., a graduate student at Portland State University, Oregon.

You don’t need to be superhuman to scale surfaces. “To overcome the little voice in your head that says ‘don’t do it’ and stand out over that edge….. It’s enlightening, a rush of adrenaline,” says Satish*, a graduate student at Berea College, Kentucky (*name changed). Or try bouldering: climbing close to the ground on a low-lying rock.

“It’s this generation’s version of sitting in rocking chairs on a front porch,” says Maryevalyn W., a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “It’s easy to set up a hammock in the woods or in a park between poles or trees and just chill out.” Research on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” (spending time in wooded areas), has shown physical and emotional health benefits. For more foresty action, take a hike or take photos.

Life is too short not to try biking off-road. Explore national and state parks, and incorporate a meditation-inducing destination. “You get to see great views while getting in a great workout. You also don’t need to spend any money other than getting out to the trail,” says Dwane T., a second-year graduate student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Your Best Instagram

“Living in Wyoming gives a lot of options for outdoor activities. Rock climbing gives you a huge sense of accomplishment when you can complete a tough route you have been working on. It also forces you to build muscles you never really realize you have. I never thought about building my finger strength until I started rock climbing. It just brings a totally different form of being active to my life.” —Kirsten Jacobson, University of Wyoming

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Kristen Pope is a freelance writer and the managing editor of JHStyle Magazine based in Jackson Hole, Colorado. Her writing credits include the International Journal of Wilderness, Mountain Outlaw, Teton Family Magazine, Big Sky Weekly, and Dishing. Her MS in natural resources is from Humboldt State University in California.